Topic: India and Pakistan
Country: Indonesia
Delegate Name: Jordan Wagner
School: Traverse City West High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Indonesia position papers GLIMUN 2008 committees
Indonesia has, and will continue, to take a very neutral position towards the issue of India and Pakistan and the disputed territory of Kashmir, specifically Kashmir-Jammu. This dispute first began in 1947 when India was granted its independence from the United Kingdom. This same year, India split into two countries with current day India a secular state and Pakistan an Islamic country. Soon afterward, conflict started between these two countries about the border region of Kashmir, specifically Kashmir-Jammu. India claims that this region belongs to them since it was originally give them. Pakistan claims this province because it is primarily Muslim, which is the main religion of Pakistan. Pakistan believes it would “fit in better” because of the religious ties. Furthermore, religious tensions between the Hindu’s and Muslim’s tend to be the root problem and the reason why tensions have escalated between the two countries. Since the dispute started in 1947, three major wars have been fought between the two countries and daily violence is continuous on the borders of Kashmir. A newer threat to the well-being of the citizens of both India and Pakistan is the emergence of nuclear weapons. With ongoing tensions between the two countries, a nuclear war could be imminent. India and Pakistan are two of the only four sovereign states that have not approved the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Both countries have stated that they have nuclear weapons and have actively tested them. Without some sort of ceasefire and/or agreement between India and Pakistan, a nuclear war is likely to happen between these two countries.
Indonesia declared its independence after World War II from the Netherlands, thus making Indonesia its own government. Shortly afterwards, relations between both India and Pakistan began. Both are important countries to the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, and Indonesia. As a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement, G-15 (a group of countries from the Non-Aligned Movement that help to enhance trade and cooperation between G-8 and the World Trade Organization), and G-77 (a group of developing nations helping to enhance each others economies through trading and investment), Indonesia hopes to continue peaceful and beneficial relations with both India and Pakistan. Therefore, we have decided to take a neutral stance on this issue as to not disrupt our relations with both these countries. As the most populous Muslim country in the world and the fourth most populous country in the world, India and Pakistan are significant and vital countries to keep as allies. Former Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid stated that, “In the political arena, India and Indonesia shared so many similar views on international affairs. I think in this sense, we'll have to share our experiences on that basis…” Because of our similar views on international affairs, mostly notable international trade, India is an important ally to continue to work with on the international stage. India and myself consider the United States, Japan, and the European Union as major trade partners and important in the development of our countries. Keeping cordial relations with India also means keeping in good standings with our major trade partners. Also, the leaders of Indonesia and India were the founding leaders of the Non-Aligned Movement; which is based on the values of independence, freedom and non-alignment. Furthermore, our relation with Pakistan is very important and imperative in terms of our similar religious foundations. Both of our countries have the majority of our population tied to the religion of Islam. This creates a unique bond between the governments of our country. As a country, Indonesia is trying to promote Islam as a country that is peaceful and deserves more recognition on an international level. Pakistan is an important ally in achieving these goals worldwide. Our countries continue to be on the forefront of Islam; promoting peace between Islamic countries and encouraging Muslims to work with western countries.
As stated before, Indonesia believes the best course of action is neutrality. In 2001, Indonesia formally announced its stance on neutrality amidst much violence between India and Pakistan. Former President Abdurrahman Wahid stated, “Indonesia will not intervene in the half-century dispute between India and guerrilla groups fighting New Delhi's rule in Jammu and Kashmir.” This position has been embraced by all leaders of Indonesia’s leaders since it was stated and is continuing to be upheld.
Since 1947, 30,000 people have been killed directly in this dispute (with thousands unaccountable) and millions have been misplaced. In 2003 a ceasefire was signed between these two countries. Sadly, it is unlikely that a peace agreement between these two countries and the providence will occur soon. Just this past May, fighting was again refueled across the line of control, which designates which country controls which region. Indonesia does applaud India and Pakistan for agreeing to reopen the trade routes in Kashmir between the two countries. This shows some sign of process, especially because this is the first time since India split that these trade routes have been used.
In order to successful implement peace; a path of tolerance and understanding must be made between these two countries. The international community needs to take a harsher stance towards both countries when violence erupts. Furthermore, peace talks need to begin immediately between the two countries using an unbiased mediator. While trying to promote peace in the region, UNMOGIP (United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan) need to continue monitoring the region. Strongly pressure must also be applied on these two countries to adopt and ratify the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Although peace needs to be brought to this region, Indonesia feels it is not our responsibility, right, and position to help these two countries reevaluate and/or amend the line of control. Our hope for the future is that these two countries can put aside their differences and embrace the similarities between them.
